Aerosol apparatus for health, hygienic and grooming needs

ABSTRACT

An aerosol apparatus for applying health or beauty products to selected portions of a person&#39;s body. The apparatus is suitable for general use but provides major benefits to physically disadvantaged persons, such as elderly, arthritic, amputee, paralytic and bedridden persons who are unable to care for their hygienic, health and grooming needs. The apparatus is suitable for use in residences, hospitals, nursing homes, at the beach and while traveling. The apparatus is comprised of a replaceable aerosol cartridge, a slender elongated tubular member having an inlet portion operatively connected to the cartridge, and an applicator attached to an outlet portion of the tubular member. The applicator can be rotatable about three mutually perpendicular axes for applying health and beauty products to difficult to reach body areas. The elongated tube may be extensible to provide further utility.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid dispensing and moreparticularly to an aerosol health and beauty products applicatorapparatus for general use and benefit to physically disadvantagedpersons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many persons, including the elderly, arthritic, amputee,paralytic and bedridden persons are unable to care for their hygienic,health and grooming needs. They are unable to do so because many bodyareas are inaccessible or difficult to access for applying products suchas sun screens, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, toilet waters, body lotionsand medications.

[0003] The common methods of applying these products with hands or gauzefails these persons because of muscular and joint limitations. Anotherproblem is that they are unable to open many of the containers of thehealth and beauty products. Consequently they rely on others, such asnurses, friends and family members for meeting their health, hygienicand grooming needs.

[0004] When help is unavailable, these needs are often unmet or met onlyafter long delays. Since elderly and bedridden persons may generatestrong body odors they need frequent scrubbing and grooming to avoidoffending others.

[0005] In many cases, elderly and physically handicapped persons areconfined in institutions, such as nursing homes, because they are unableto fill their health, hygienic and grooming needs. This reduces theirquality of life and increases overall health costs.

[0006] Frequently, members of the general public need to relieve orapply lotions and medications to difficult to reach pruritic “itching”body areas. The upper and middle regions of the back are examples ofsuch areas. Other areas present problems of access for applyingsunscreens, or scrubbing for cleanliness before or after swimming orduring bathing. An absence of sunscreen lotions or oils over the entireback region may result in severe sunburn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention overcomes all of the foregoing deficienciesby providing an improved, efficient, and easy to use apparatus andmethod for applying health, hygienic and beauty products.

[0008] The invention is suitable for use in private homes, nursingfacilities, hospitals, while traveling, and at the beach. In addition toimproving the health, hygiene and grooming of elderly and handicappedpersons, overall health care costs can be lowered by reducing theservices of health care professionals and employees, such as nurses andhospital attendants.

[0009] The invention generally comprises an aerosol container having anoutlet end portion attached to one end portion of an extensibleelongated tubular member, an applicator attached to an opposite endportion of the tubular member and a means within the tubular member forrotating about three mutually perpendicular axes. The applicator may beany of a variety of devices, such as an open cell sponge, brush, orloofah.

[0010] In a first aspect of the invention, an aerosol spray is dispersedthrough apertures in the tubular member into an open cell sponge. In asecond aspect, an aerosol spray is discharged through apertures in theelongated tubular member on to a selected portion of a body.

[0011] The additional objects, features and benefits will be apparent byreference to the drawings and ensuing detailed description of apreferred embodiment which discloses the best mode contemplated incarrying out the invention. The exclusive rights which are claimed areset forth in the numbered claims following the detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment.

[0012] In employing the teaching of the present invention, a pluralityof alternate constructions can be adopted to achieve the desired resultsand capabilities. In this disclosure, only several embodiments arediscussed. However, these embodiments are intended as examples andshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will be better understood and further objects,characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear moreclearly with reference to the diagrammatic drawings illustratingspecific embodiments of the invention by way of non-limiting exampleonly.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aerosol applicator apparatus accordingto the invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a right side view of the aerosol applicator apparatus.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the aerosol applicator apparatus.

[0017]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a right side view of an alternate configuration of theaerosol applicator apparatus.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a right side view of the second embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the second embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line10-10 in FIG. 8.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a right side view of the third embodiment.

[0026]FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line13-13 in FIG. 12.

[0027]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 15 is a right side view of the fourth embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the fourth embodiment.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment.

[0031]FIG. 18 is a right side view of the fifth embodiment.

[0032]FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designatelike and corresponding parts throughout the several views, an aerosolapplicator apparatus 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, inclusive, forapplying liquid health, hygienic and grooming products. The apparatus 20is comprised of a cylindrical housing 21, a replaceable aerosolcannister or cartridge 22, a slender tubular member 23, and anapplicator 24.

[0034] At one end of the housing 21 is a removable closure 25 forinstalling and removing the aerosol cartridge 22. A wire handle 26pivotally engages the housing 21 for opening an outlet valve 28 of theaerosol cartridge 22. The handle 26 pivots about point “A” of a bracket29 which is attached to the housing 22 to open the valve. 28 Between thehandle 26 and the housing 21 is a wire blocking member 30 for preventinga movement of the handle 26 when the apparatus 20 is not in use. Thewire blocking member 30 is selectively pivotal about point “B” from anunblocking position 31 adjacent to the housing 21 to a blocking position32 away from the housing 21.

[0035] An inlet portion 33 of the elongated tubular member 23 isattached to the bracket 29 and engages an outlet portion 34 of theaerosol cartridge 22. When the handle 26 is squeezed in the direction ofarrow “C” to open the aerosol valve 28, an aerosol spray 35 containing ahealth, hygienic or grooming product is discharged into the elongatedtubular member 23.

[0036] An outlet portion 36 of the tubular member 23 is surrounded by anelliptical resilient open cell pad 37. An aerosol spray (not shown) isdispersed through apertures 47 in the outlet portion 36 of the tubularmember 23 into the open cell pad 37. The pad 37 is used for applying theaerosol spray and scrubbing a body area.

[0037] One important feature of the apparatus is a group of ball andsocket joints 38 in the tubular member 23. They allow the applicator 24,as shown in FIG. 6, to be rotated about three mutually perpendicularaxes to reach a variety of body areas. The ball and socket joints 36 aremade of resilient plastic materials, whereby their members can beforcibly engaged to prevent leakage and to provide sufficient jointfriction for maintaining the orientation of the applicator 24.

[0038] The preferred method of using the applicator apparatus of FIGS. 1through 6 is as follows. The replaceable aerosol cartridge 22 isinserted into the housing 21 by removing the closure 25 at the end ofthe housing 21. The applicator 24 is properly positioned by rotating andflexing the ball and socket joints 38 to suit a specific body area.After the user is satisfied with the orientation of the applicator 24,the handle 26 is squeezed to disperse a portion of the aerosolsuspension into the open cell pad 37. The absorbed aerosol product isthen applied to the selected body area with the cellular pad 37 and thepad 37 is used to scrub or cleanse the selected area.

[0039] An alternate embodiment 40 of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7through 10, inclusive. In this embodiment 40, a detachable circularresilient cellular pad 41 is mounted to an outlet end portion of anelongated tubular member 42 with a coupling 43. The coupling 43 allows avariety of applicators to be attached to the tubular member 44.

[0040] In the outlet end portion 42 of the tubular member 44 is a lineararrangement of apertures 45 through which an aerosol spray 39 isdischarged when the handle 26 is squeezed. The cellular pad 41 is usedto spread and scrub the affected area after the aerosol spray isapplied.

[0041] The preferred method of using the second embodiment 40 differsfrom the method of the first embodiment 20 as follows. The applicatorapparatus 40 may be used in two ways. The first way is to apply a healthor beauty product, such as a soap or sunscreen, directly to the cellularpad 41, to orient the applicator 46 and then apply the product with thepad 41 to a selected body area. The aerosol cartridge 22 is used toapply a different type of product, such as a body lotion to the selectedarea.

[0042] The second way is to apply a health or beauty product with theaerosol cartridge 22 to a body area. The applicator 46 is then orientedto align the pad 41 with the body area and the aerosol product is spreadover the body area with the pad 41. If required, the body area iscleansed or scrubbed with the pad 41.

[0043] In FIGS. 11 through 13, the cellular pad 41 of FIGS. 7 through 9is replaced with a circular brush 48. The circular brush 48 is attachedto an outlet end portion of an elongated tubular member 55 with a tongueand groove attachment 51. In FIGS. 14 through 16, a circular loofah 54is mounted on the elongated tubular member 50 with a threaded coupling56. A single ball and socket joint 57 allows the loofah 54 to be rotatedabout three mutually perpendicular axes. The elongated tubular member 57is an extensible member to increase the utility of the invention.

[0044] In FIGS. 17 through 19, an embodiment 59 is shown wherein anaerosol spray is discharged through a single aperture 60 in an outletend portion 61 of an elongated tubular member 62. A needle valve 63 isprovided in the distal end 61 of the tubular member 62 to regulate theamount of aerosol spray 64 which is discharged through the aperture 60.

[0045] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that our inventionprovides a novel apparatus and method which allows physicallydisadvantaged as well as persons who are not physically disadvantaged toefficiently apply liquid and beauty products to selected areas of theirbodies. It will also be appreciated that our invention is particularlyuseful to elderly and physically disadvantaged persons who heretoforehave required the assistance of others. It will be still furtherappreciated that our invention can be used at a variety of places, suchas beaches, showers, bathtubs, hospitals and nursing homes.

[0046] Although only several embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed for purposes of disclosure and enabling persons to practicethe invention, it is not our intention to limit our invention to theseembodiments, since other embodiments can be derived by obvioussubstitutions, changes in shape, elimination and additions of parts, andchanges in the arrangement of parts without departing from the spiritthereof.

We claim:
 1. An aerosol apparatus for storing and applying a health orbeauty product to a selected area of a person's body, comprising: acartridge for storing and dispersing an aerosol suspension of a healthor beauty product, said cartridge having an outlet end portion and avalve for sealing said aerosol suspension in said cannister; a slender,elongated tubular member having an inlet end portion operativelyconnected to said outlet end portion of said cartridge and an oppositeend portion for connecting an applicator; an applicator for receiving aportion of said suspension from said cartridge and applying said healthor beauty product to said selected portion of said person's body; and ameans for opening said valve.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1wherein said applicator is an open cell pad.
 3. The apparatus recited inclaim 1 wherein said applicator is a brush.
 4. The apparatus recited inclaim 1 wherein said applicator is a loofah.
 5. The apparatus recited inclaim 1 further comprising at least one ball and socket joint in saidtubular member for rotating said applicator about three mutuallyperpendicular axes.
 6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of ball and socket joints in said elongatedtubular member for rotating said applicator about three mutuallyperpendicular axes.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein saidcartridge is replaceable.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim whereinan end portion of said tubular member has at least one aperture fordischarging a spray of said aerosol suspension.
 9. The apparatus recitedin claim 1 wherein said applicator is elliptical.
 10. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is rectangular.
 11. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is circular. 12.The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein an outlet end portion of saidelongated tubular member has at least one aperture for discharging aspray of said aerosol suspension on said selected body area.
 13. Theapparatus recited in claim 2 wherein an end portion of said elongatedtubular member has a plurality of small apertures for dispersing saidaerosol product into said open cell pad.
 14. The apparatus recited inclaim 1 wherein said applicator is detachable from said slender tubularmember.
 15. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said slendertubular member is extensible.
 16. An aerosol apparatus for storing andapplying a health or beauty product to a selected area of a person'sbody, comprising: a housing for storing a replaceable aerosol cartridge;a replaceable aerosol cartridge in an interior portion of said housing,said cartridge having an aerosol suspension of a health or beautyproduct, an outlet portion and a valve for discharging an aerosol sprayof said health or beauty product from said outlet portion of saidcartridge; a handle pivotally attached to said housing for opening saidnormally closed valve; a means for selectively preventing a movement ofsaid handle; a slender, elongated tubular member having an inlet endportion operatively connected to said outlet end portion of saidcartridge, at least one aperture in said slender tubular member fordischarging a portion of said aerosol suspension and an applicator forspreading said aerosol product over said selected body portion.
 17. Amethod for applying a health or beauty product to a selected portion ofa person's body comprising: a step for orienting an applicator which isattached to an end portion of an elongated member with respect to aselected body area; a step for discharging a portion of an aerosolsuspension of a health or beauty product from an aerosol container on tosaid body area; and a step for spreading said discharged portion on saidselected body area with said applicator.
 18. The method as described inclaim 17 wherein said applicator is a cellular pad.
 19. The method asdescribed in claim 17 wherein said applicator is a brush.
 20. The methodas described in claim 17 wherein said applicator is a loofah.
 21. Themethod as described in claim 17 wherein said health or beauty product isa sunscreen.
 22. The method as described in claim 17 wherein said healthor beauty product is a soap.
 23. The method as described in claim 17wherein said health or beauty product is a medication.
 24. The method asdescribed in claim 17 wherein said health or beauty product is a lotion.25. A method for applying a health or beauty product to a selected bodyarea comprising the steps of storing a replaceable cartridge containingan aerosol suspension of a health or beauty product in an applicatorapparatus; aligning an applicator which is attached to an outlet endportion of a slender elongated tubular member of said applicatorapparatus with said selected body area; spraying a portion of saidaerosol health and beauty product from an end portion of said elongatedtubular member on said selected body area; and spreading said liquidhealth or beauty product with said applicator on said selected bodyarea.
 26. The method as recited in claim 17 further comprising the stepof elongating said slender tubular member prior to aligning saidapplicator with said selected body area.
 27. The method as recited inclaim 18 further comprising the steps of rotating said applicator abouttwo axes which are mutually perpendicular to said other axis.